A routine but overlooked parameter for impaired glucose control: red cell distribution width

OBJECTIVE

Red cell distribution width (RDW), an index of erythrocyte size, is recently found to be associated with inflammation and a high risk for cardiovascular disease. Hyperglycemia, the hallmark of prediabetes (PDM) and diabetes mellitus (DM), causes endothelial dysfunction and a proinflammatory state. We investigated the relationship between RDW and hs-CRP in patients with prediabetes and overt DM.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 155 patients were categorized into 3 groups according to the 2007 guideline for American Diabetes Association: "Type 2 DM" group (n = 45), "PDM" group (n = 60) and "Control" group (n = 50). RDW and hs-CRP levels were measured.

RESULTS

PDM group had higher hs-CRP and RDW levels than the control group (14.3 ± 0.84 vs. 12.7 ± 0.8, p < 0.001 for RDW; (0.91 ± 0.49 vs. 0.55 ± 0.37, p < 0.001 for hs-CRP). Similarly, when compared with the PDM, RDW and hs-CRP levels were higher in the DM group (14.8 ± 0.87 vs. 14.3 ± 0.84, p = 0.002 for RDW; 1.15 ± 0.59 vs. 0.91 ± 0.49, p = 0.03 for hs-CRP).

CONCLUSIONS

Prediabetes and diabetes were associated with elevated RDW levels which may be attributed to a subclinical inflammatory background.

Design, Construction, and Implementation of a Magnetic Resonance Elastography Actuator for Research Purposes

Magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) is a technique for determining the mechanical response of soft materials using applied harmonic deformation of the material and a motion-sensitive magnetic resonance imaging sequence. This technique can elucidate significant information about the health and development of human tissue such as liver and brain, and has been used on phantom models (e.g., agar, silicone) to determine their suitability for use as a mechanical surrogate for human tissues in experimental models. The applied harmonic deformation used in MRE is generated by an actuator, transmitted in bursts of a specified duration, and synchronized with the magnetic resonance signal excitation. These actuators are most often a pneumatic design (common for human tissues or phantoms) or a piezoelectric design (common for small animal tissues or phantoms). Here, we describe how to design and assemble both a pneumatic and a piezoelectric MRE actuator for research purposes. For each of these actuator types, we discuss displacement requirements, end-effector options and challenges, electronics and electronic-driving requirements and considerations, and full MRE implementation. We also discuss how to choose the actuator type, size, and power based on the intended material and use. © 2022 Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: Design, construction, and implementation of a convertible pneumatic MRE actuator for use with tissues and phantom models Basic Protocol 2: Design, construction, and implementation of a piezoelectric MRE actuator for localized excitation in phantom models.

Time to next treatment or death as a candidate surrogate endpoint for overall survival in advanced melanoma patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors: an insight from the phase III CheckMate 067 trial

Background

Time to next treatment or death (TNT-D) may be a patient-relevant endpoint in patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors. This study investigated TNT-D as a surrogate endpoint (SE) for overall survival (OS) in previously untreated advanced melanoma patients.

Methods

Patient-level data from the 60-month results of the CheckMate 067 randomised, controlled trial were used. Analyses were carried out for nivolumab monotherapy or nivolumab with ipilimumab versus ipilimumab monotherapy. The SE 1-step validation method based on a joint frailty-copula model was used where the country of enrolment was applied to define clusters. Kendall’s τ and the coefficient of determination (R²_trial) were estimated for respective measurements of association at the individual and cluster levels. The surrogate threshold effect, the maximum threshold hazard ratio for TNT-D that would translate into OS benefit, was estimated. A leave-one-out cross-validation analysis was carried out to evaluate model robustness.

Results

Fifteen clusters of data were generated from 945 patients. For both nivolumab-containing arms, the association between TNT-D and OS was deemed acceptable at the individual level (Kendall’s τ > 0.60) and strong at the cluster level, with R²_trial fairly close to 1, with narrow confidence intervals. The estimated surrogate threshold effects were 0.61 for nivolumab versus ipilimumab and 0.49 for nivolimub + ipilimumab versus ipilimumab. Cross-validation results showed minimum variation of the correlation measures and satisfactory predictive accuracy for the model.

Conclusion

Results suggest that TNT-D may be a valuable SE in previously untreated advanced melanoma patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors. Surrogacy analyses considering multiple randomised controlled trials are warranted for confirming these findings.

•

This is the first study to assess the surrogacy properties of TNT-D for OS in immune checkpoint inhibitor-treated patients.

•

TNT-D is a clinically relevant, pragmatic and often measurable endpoint that reflects the result of a therapeutic decision.

•

TNT-D appears to be a promising SE for OS in advanced melanoma patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Brain-mimicking phantom for biomechanical validation of motion sensitive MR imaging techniques

Motion sensitive MR imaging techniques allow for the non-invasive evaluation of biological tissues by using different excitation schemes, including physiological/intrinsic motions caused by cardiac pulsation or respiration, and vibrations caused by an external actuator. The mechanical biomarkers extracted through these imaging techniques have been shown to hold diagnostic value for various neurological disorders and conditions. Amplified MRI (aMRI), a cardiac gated imaging technique, can help track and quantify low frequency intrinsic motion of the brain. As for high frequency actuation, the mechanical response of brain tissue can be measured by applying external high frequency actuation in combination with a motion sensitive MR imaging sequence called Magnetic Resonance Elastography (MRE). Due to the frequency-dependent behavior of brain mechanics, there is a need to develop brain phantom models that can mimic the broadband mechanical response of the brain in order to validate motion-sensitive MR imaging techniques. Here, we have designed a novel phantom test setup that enables both the low and high frequency responses of a brain-mimicking phantom to be captured, allowing for both aMRI and MRE imaging techniques to be applied on the same phantom model. This setup combines two different vibration sources: a pneumatic actuator, for low frequency/intrinsic motion (1 Hz) for use in aMRI, and a piezoelectric actuator for high frequency actuation (30-60 Hz) for use in MRE. Our results show that in MRE experiments performed from 30 Hz through 60 Hz, propagating shear waves attenuate faster at higher driving frequencies, consistent with results in the literature. Furthermore, actuator coupling has a substantial effect on wave amplitude, with weaker coupling causing lower amplitude wave field images, specifically shown in the top-surface shear loading configuration. For intrinsic actuation, our results indicate that aMRI linearly amplifies motion up to at least an amplification factor of 9 for instances of both visible and sub-voxel motion, validated by varying power levels of pneumatic actuation (40%-80% power) under MR, and through video analysis outside the MRI scanner room. While this investigation used a homogeneous brain-mimicking phantom, our setup can be used to study the mechanics of non-homogeneous phantom configurations with bio-interfaces in the future.

Randomized controlled trial of 8 weeks' vs 12 weeks' interval between neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and surgery for locally advanced rectal cancer

AIM

The aim was to compare the pathological complete response (pCR) rate at 8 compared to 12 weeks' interval between completion of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) and surgery in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer.

METHOD

This was a randomized trial which included a total of 330 patients from two institutions. Patients with locally advanced (T3-4N0M0, TxN+M0) rectal cancer were randomized into 8- and 12-week interval groups. All the patients received long-course CRT (45 Gy in 1.8 Gy fractions and concomitant oral capecitabine or 5-fluorouracil infusion). Surgery was performed at either 8 or 12 weeks after CRT. The primary end-point was pCR. Secondary end-points were sphincter preservation, postoperative morbidity and mortality.

RESULTS

Two-hundred and fifty-two patients (n = 125 in the 8-week group, n = 127 in the 12-week group) were included. Demographic and clinical characteristics were similar between groups. The overall pCR rate was 17.9% (n = 45): 12% (n = 15) in the 8-week group and 23.6% (n = 30) in the 12-week group (P = 0.021). Sphincter-preserving surgery was performed in 107 (85.6%) patients which was significantly higher than the 94 (74%) patients in the 12-week group (P = 0.016). Postoperative mortality was seen in three (1.2%) patients overall and was not different between groups (1.6% in 8 weeks vs 0.8% in 12 weeks, P = 0.494). Groups were similar in anastomotic leak (10.8% in 8 weeks vs 4.5% in 12 weeks, P = 0.088) and morbidity (30.4% in 8 weeks and 20.1% in 12 weeks, P = 0.083).

CONCLUSION

Extending the interval between CRT and surgery from 8 to 12 weeks resulted in a 2-fold increase in pCR rate without any difference in mortality and morbidity.

The effect of microwave glazing on the surface properties of various porcelain materials

Aim

The aim of this research was to investigate the effect of microwave glazing, conventional oven glazing, and polishing on surface roughness and wettability of porcelains.

Materials and Methods

The initial surface roughness values (Ra₀) of the prepared specimens for four different porcelains (Vita VM 9, VitaVM 13, Vita VMK 95, IPS e.maxCeram) were determined by profilometry. Then, the specimens were divided randomly into three groups as polishing, conventional oven glazing, and microwave glazing. Final surface roughness values were evaluated by profilometry (Ra₁) and scanning electron microscopy. Wettability of glazed specimens were evaluated by contact angle goniometer.

Results

Although microwave-glazed specimens had lower Ra₁ values compared with the conventional oven-glazed ones for IPS e.maxCeram (P < 0.05), there were not any statistically significant differences between these two procedures in terms of Ra₁ values for the other porcelains (P > 0.05). Microwave-glazed specimens had lower wettability values than conventional oven-glazed ones for Vita VM 9.

Conclusions

Microwave glazing procedure may be considered as an alternative method because of the advantages of providing volumetric heating, time, and energy saving.

Brain stiffens post mortem

Alterations in brain rheology are increasingly recognized as a diagnostic marker for various neurological conditions. Magnetic resonance elastography now allows us to assess brain rheology repeatably, reproducibly, and non-invasively in vivo. Recent elastography studies suggest that brain stiffness decreases one percent per year during normal aging, and is significantly reduced in Alzheimer’s disease and multiple sclerosis. While existing studies successfully compare brain stiffnesses across different populations, they fail to provide insight into changes within the same brain. Here we characterize rheological alterations in one and the same brain under extreme metabolic changes: alive and dead. Strikingly, the storage and loss moduli of the cerebrum increased by 26% and 60% within only three minutes post mortem and continued to increase by 40% and 103% within 45 minutes. Immediate post mortem stiffening displayed pronounced regional variations; it was largest in the corpus callosum and smallest in the brainstem. We postulate that post mortem stiffening is a manifestation of alterations in polarization, oxidation, perfusion, and metabolism immediately after death. Our results suggest that the stiffness of our brain–unlike any other organ–is a dynamic property that is highly sensitive to the metabolic environment Our findings emphasize the importance of characterizing brain tissue in vivo and question the relevance of ex vivo brain tissue testing as a whole. Knowing the true stiffness of the living brain has important consequences in diagnosing neurological conditions, planning neurosurgical procedures, and modeling the brain’s response to high impact loading.

Non-invasive fibrosis tests are correlated with necroinflammatory actvity of liver in patients with chronic hepatitis B

BACKGROUND

The gold standarda method used for assessing necroinflammatory activity and fibrosis in the liver is a liver biopsy which has many disadvantages. Therefore, many investigators have been trying to develop non-invasive tests for predicting liver fibrosis score (LFS) of these patients. The aim of this study is to describe the relationship between certain non-invasive fibrosis markers with LFS and histological activity index (HAI) detected histopathologically by liver biopsy in chronic hepatitis B patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 54 patients who had undergone a liver biopsy with the diagnosis of chronic HBV infection were included in the study. Ishak scoring was used for the evaluation of liver fibrosis, and a modified Knodell HAI was used for demonstration of necroinflammation. In this study, non-invasive fibrosis tests were calculated as described in previous studies.

RESULTS

Histological acitivity index was positively correlated with age, age/platelet index, cirrhosis discriminant score (CDS), AST/platelet ratio index (APRI), AST/platelet/GGT/AFP index (APGA), fibro-quotient (Fibro-Q), Goteburg University Cirrhosis Index (Guci), and Platelet/Age/Phosphatase/AFP/AST index (PAPAS). When divided into two groups according to HAI, Guci and APGA were found significantly different both in >4 and >4 HAI groups than the other group. In ROC analysis performed for LFS; PAPAS, APGA, FFI and APRI were the markers having the highest AUC levels, and in ROC analysis performed for HAI; Guci, APRI and APGA were the markers with the highest AUC levels.

CONCLUSIONS

APRI, APGA and GUCI tests may be helpful in prediction of necroinflammatory scores in the liver.

Polymorphisms in the IL28B gene (rs12979860, rs8099917) and the virological response to pegylated interferon therapy in hepatitis D virus patients

AIM

Few data are available regarding the effects of interleukin 28B (IL28B) polymorphisms in chronic hepatitis D (CHD) patients. This study investigated the relationship between IL28B poly-morphisms and the response of patients with CHD infections to pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) therapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 101 CHD patients were -selected, 80 of whom (46 males ; median age 41 years) satisfied the inclusion criteria and were enrolled in the study. Thirty-seven patients were treated with peg-IFNα for at least 12 months and were followed for a median of 18 months (range, 12-30 months). The primary treatment endpoint was the suppression of HDV replication, as documented by the loss of detectable HDV RNA in serum. Genotyping was used to analyse the IL28B polymorphisms rs12979860 and rs8099917 according to the virological response.

RESULTS

After treatment, a sustained viral response (SVR) was achieved in 19 (51%) of the patients treated with PEG-INF. The IL28B genotypes in the 80 patients were as follows : CC in 36 (45%), CT in 33 (41%) and TT in 11 (14%) for rs12979860, and GG in 4 (5%), GT in 27 (34%) and TT in 49 (61%) for rs8099917. SVR was achieved in 5 (26%), 10 (53%) and 4 (21%) patients with CC, CT and TT at rs12979860, respectively, and one (5%), nine (47%) and nine (47%) patients with GG, GT and TT at rs8099917, respectively. There were differences in the SVR among genotypes (rs12979860 and rs8099917 ; chi-squared test, p = 0.047).

CONCLUSION

IL28B predicts the PEG-IFN response in patients with CHD infection.

Fragmented QRS is associated with cirrhotic cardiomyopathy in patients with decompensated cirrhosis

BACKGROUND AND AIM

It has been reported that the fragmented QRS (fQRS) is related to left ventricular systolic dysfunction and diastolic dysfunction. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of fragmented QRS (fQRS) in patients with decompensated cirrhosis and to evaluate the relationship between the presence of fQRS and systolic and diastolic dysfunction.

METHOD

PThe study included consecutive 189 patients with decompensated cirrhosis. fQRS pattern was described as presence of RSR' manifested as existence of additional R wave and notching in either R or S waves in ECG recordings. Conventional echocardiography and tissue doppler echocardiography were performed in all patients.

RESULTS

The prevalence of fQRS was 31% (59/189) in patients with decompensated cirrhosis. The patients with fQRS had worse diastolic and systolic functions in comparison to the patients without fQRS. In addition, multivariate analysis revealed that the presence of an fQRS, Na levels < 125 mEq/L, the Child-Pugh score and the MELD score were independent predictive factors for mortality (respectively, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001 and p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion,this study showed a relationship between the presence of an fQRS and cardiac dysfunction. In addition, the fQRS appeared to act as an independent predictor of mortality in patients with decompensated cirrhosis. These data suggest that the fQRS may represent a novel noninvasive marker for cardiac involvement and for predicting mortality in patients with decompensated cirrhosis.

Synthesis and spectroscopic characterization on 4-(2,5-di-2-thienyl-1H-pyrrol-1-yl) benzoic acid: A DFT approach

A complete structural and vibrational analysis of the 4-(2,5-di-2-thienyl-1H-pyrrol-1-yl) benzoic acid (TPBA), was carried out by ab initio calculations, at the density functional theory (DFT) method. Molecular geometry, vibrational wavenumbers and gauge including atomic orbital (GIAO) (13)C NMR and (1)H NMR chemical shift values of (TPBA), in the ground state have been calculated by using ab initio density functional theory (DFT/B3LYP) method with 6-311G(d,p) as basis set for the first time. Comparison of the observed fundamental vibrational modes of (TPBA) and calculated results by DFT/B3LYP method indicates that B3LYP level of theory giving yield good results for quantum chemical studies. Vibrational wavenumbers obtained by the DFT/B3LYP method are in good agreement with the experimental data. The study was complemented with a natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis, to evaluate the significance of hyperconjugative interactions and electrostatic effects on such molecular structure. By using TD-DFT method, electronic absorption spectra of the title compound have been predicted and a good agreement with the TD-DFT method and the experimental one is determined. In addition, the molecular electrostatic potential (MEP), frontier molecular orbitals analysis and thermodynamic properties of TPBA were investigated using theoretical calculations.

Chronic hepatitis B associated with hepatic steatosis, insulin resistance, necroinflammation and fibrosis

BACKGROUND

The effect of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection on fatty liver disease is unclear.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to investigate the viral and host causes of fatty liver in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. This study included 88 CHB patients of which 17 were not treated. Liver biopsy was performed in each patient. Group 1 included those with hepatic steatosis (n=28) and group 2 those without hepatic steatosis. The groups were compared in terms of age, body mass index (BMI), Homeostasis Model Assessment- Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR), viral load, biochemical parameters and histological findings. Patients in group 1 were subdivided according to the degree of steatosis as follows: grade 1 (15 patients, 53.6%), grade 2 (6 patients, 21.4%), and grade 3 (7 patients, 25%).

RESULTS

In group 1 (n=28), mean age, BMI, cholesterol, and HOMA-IR were found to be significantly higher than in group 2 (n=60). There were no significant differences in the positivity of viral load, HbeAg, treatment, fibrosis and other laboratory parameters between the two groups. HOMA-IR was the only independent predictive factor of liver steatosis in patients with CHB in logistic regression analysis.

CONCLUSION

Hepatic steatosis in CHB patients was associated with host metabolic factors.

FT-IR, FT-Raman, NMR and UV-Vis spectra and DFT calculations of 5-bromo-2-ethoxyphenylboronic acid (monomer and dimer structures)

In this study, the Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) and Fourier Transform Raman (FT-Raman) spectra of 5-bromo-2-ethoxyphenylboronic acid (5Br2EPBA) are recorded in the solid phase in the region 4000-400 cm(-1) and 3500-10 cm(-1), respectively. The (1)H, (13)C and DEPT nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra are recorded in DMSO solution. The UV-Vis absorption spectrum of 5Br2EPBA is saved in the range of 200-400 nm in ethanol and water. The following theoretical calculations for monomeric and dimeric structures are supported by experimental results. The molecular geometry and vibrational frequencies in the ground state are calculated by using DFT methods with 6-31G(d,p) and 6-311G(d,p) basis sets. There are four conformers for the present molecule. The computational results diagnose the most stable conformer of 5Br2EPBA as Trans-Cis (TC) form. The complete assignments are performed on the basis of the total energy distribution (TED) of vibrational modes, calculated with scaled quantum mechanics (SQM) method in parallel quantum solutions (PQS) program. The (1)H and (13)C NMR chemical shifts of 5Br2EPBA molecule are calculated by using the Gauge Invariant Atomic Orbital (GIAO) method in DMSO and gas phase for monomer and dimer structures of the most stable conformer. Moreover, electronic properties, such as the HOMO and LUMO energies (by TD-DFT and CIS methods) and molecular electrostatic potential surface (MEPs) are investigated. Stability of the molecule arising from hyper-conjugative interactions, charge delocalization is analyzed using natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis. Nonlinear optical (NLO) properties and thermodynamic features are presented. All calculated results are compared with the experimental data of the title molecule. The correlation of theoretical and experimental results provides a detailed description of the structural and physicochemical properties of the title molecule.

DFT calculations and experimental FT-IR, FT-Raman, NMR, UV-Vis spectral studies of 3-fluorophenylboronic acid

The spectroscopic (FT-IR, FT-Raman, (1)H and (13)C NMR, UV-Vis), structural, electronic and thermodynamical properties of 3-fluorophenylboronic acid (C6H4FB(OH)2), 3FPBA) were submitted by using both experimental techniques and theoretical methods (quantum chemical calculations) in this work. The experimental infrared and Raman spectra were obtained in the region 4000-400 cm(-1) and 3500-10 cm(-1), respectively. The equilibrium geometry and vibrational spectra were calculated by using DFT (B3LYP) with 6-311++G(d,p) basis set. The vibrational wavenumbers were also corrected with scale factor to take better results for the calculated data. The total energy distributions (TED) of the vibrational modes were performed for the assignments of the title molecule by using scaled quantum mechanics (SQM) method. The NMR chemical shifts ((1)H and (13)C) were recorded in DMSO solution. The (1)H and (13)C NMR spectra were computed by using the gauge-invariant atomic orbital (GIAO) method, showing a good agreement with the experimental ones. The last one UV-Vis absorption spectra were analyzed in two solvents (ethanol and water), saved in the range of 200-400 nm. In addition these, HOMO and LUMO energies, the excitation energies, density of states (DOS) diagrams, thermodynamical properties and molecular electrostatic potential surface (MEPs) were presented. Nonlinear optical (NLO) properties and thermodynamic features were performed. The experimental results are combined with the theoretical calculations using DFT calculations to fortification of the paper. At the end of this work, the results were proved our paper had been indispensable for the literature backing.

Structural investigation of a self-assembled monolayer material 5-[(3-methylphenyl) (phenyl) amino] isophthalic acid for organic light-emitting devices

The molecular structure and vibrations of 5-[(3-methylphenyl) (phenyl) amino] isophthalic acid (MePIFA) were investigated by infrared and Raman spectroscopies, UV-Vis, (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopic techniques and NBO analysis. FT-IR, FT-Raman and dispersive Raman spectra were recorded in the solid phase. (1)H and (13)C NMR spectra and UV-Vis spectrum were recorded in DMSO solution. HOMO-LUMO analysis and molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) analysis were performed. The theoretical calculations for the molecular structure and spectroscopies were performed with DFT (B3LYP) and 6-311G(d,p) basis set calculations using the Gaussian 09 program. After the geometry of the molecule was optimized, vibration wavenumbers and fundamental vibration wavenumbers were assigned on the basis of the potential energy distribution (PED) of the vibrational modes calculated with VEDA 4 program. The total (TDOS), partial (PDOS) density of state and overlap population density of state (OPDOS) diagrams analysis were made using GaussSum 2.2 program. The results of theoretical calculations for the spectra of the title compound were compared with the observed spectra.

Ab initio/DFT calculations of butyl ammonium salt of O,O'-dibornyl dithiophosphate

O,O'-dibornyl dithiophosphete has been synthesized by the reaction of P2S5 and borneol in toluene. Fourier Transform Infrared spectra (FT-IR) of the title compound are measured. The molecular geometry, vibrational frequencies, infrared intensities and NMR spectrum of the title compound in the ground state have been calculated by using the density functional theory (DFT) and ab initio Hartree-Fock (HF) methods with the basis set of 6-31G(d). The computed bond lengths and bond angles show the good agreement with the experimental data. Moreover, the vibrational frequencies are calculated and the scaled values have been compared with experimental FT-IR spectra. Assignments of the vibrational modes are made on the basis of total energy distribution (TED) calculated with scaled quantum mechanical (SQM) method. The observed and calculated FT-IR and NMR spectra are in good agreement with each other.

The spectroscopic (FT-IR, FT-Raman, UV and NMR) first order hyperpolarizability and HOMO-LUMO analysis of dansyl chloride

The solid phase FT-IR and FT-Raman spectra of dansyl chloride (DC) have been recorded in the regions 400-4000 and 50-4000 cm(-1), respectively. The spectra have been interpreted in terms of fundamentals modes, combination and overtone bands. The structure of the molecule has been optimized and the structural characteristics have been determined by density functional theory (B3LYP) method with 6-311++G(d,p) as basis set. The vibrational frequencies were calculated for most stable conformer and were compared with the experimental frequencies, which yield good agreement between observed and calculated frequencies. The infrared and Raman spectra have also been predicted from the calculated intensities. (1)H and (13)CNMR spectra were recorded and (1)H and (13)C nuclear magnetic resonance chemical shifts of the molecule were calculated using the gauge independent atomic orbital (GIAO) method. UV-Visible spectrum of the compound was recorded in the region 200-600 nm and the electronic properties HOMO and LUMO energies were measured by time-dependent TD-DFT approach. Nonlinear optical and thermodynamic properties were interpreted. All the calculated results were compared with the available experimental data of the title molecule.

The infrared, Raman, NMR and UV spectra, ab initio calculations and spectral assignments of 2-amino-4-chloro-6-methoxypyrimidine

The 2-amino-4-chloro-6-methoxypyrimidine abbreviated as ACMP have been investigated by both the experimental and theoretical methods; through this work we provide the essential fact about the structural and vibrational insights. The optimized molecular structure, atomic charges, vibrational frequencies and ultraviolet spectral interpretation of ACMP have been studied by performing DFT/B3LYP/6-311++G(df,pd) level of theory. The FT-IR, FT-Raman spectra were recorded in the region 4000-400 cm(-1) and 4000-50 cm(-1) respectively. The UV absorption spectrum of the compound that dissolved in ethanol and water solution were recorded in the range of 200-400 nm. The scaled wavenumbers are compared with the experimental values. The difference between the observed and scaled wavenumber values of most of the fundamentals is very small. Based on the UV spectrum and TD-DFT calculations, the electronic structure and the assignments of the absorption bands were carried out. The (1)H, (13)C and DEPT 135 nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) chemical shifts of the molecule were calculated using with the Gauge Including Atomic Orbital (GIAO) method and compared with experimental results. Besides, molecular electrostatic potential (MEP), frontier molecular orbitals (FMO) analysis were investigated using theoretical calculations.

Experimental and theoretical FTIR and FT-Raman spectroscopic analysis of 1-pyrenecarboxylic acid

The title molecule 1-pyrenecarboxylic acid (1PCA) has been characterized by FTIR, FT-Raman, NMR and UV-Vis spectral analyses. The molecular geometry, harmonic vibrational modes, the corresponding wavenumbers and IR intensities of 1PCA were calculated by DFT method with 6-311G(d,p) basis set. The assignments of the fundamentals were proposed on the basis of total energy distribution (TED) calculations. The calculated (13)C and (1)H NMR chemical shifts using gauge including atomic orbitals (GIAOs) approach are in good agreement with the observed chemical shifts. The polarizability and first order hyperpolarizability of the title molecule were calculated and interpreted. Using TD-DFT method, the electronic transitions have been compared with the experimental wavelengths. The molecular electrostatic potential map was used for prediction of possible hydrogen and oxygen bonding sites 1PCA molecule.

Long-term outcomes of pars plana vitrectomy without internal limiting membrane peeling for optic disc pit maculopathy

PURPOSE

To evaluate the results of surgical treatment of maculopathy secondary to congenital optic pit anomaly with pars plana vitrectomy (PPV), endolaser to the temporal edge of the optic disc and C3F8 tamponade without internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Thirteen eyes of 12 patients with serous macular detachment and/or macular retinoschisis secondary to congenital optic disc pit (ODP) were included in the study. All eyes underwent PPV, posterior hyaloid removal, endolaser photocoagulation on the temporal margin of the optic disc and 12% C3F8 gas tamponade. Anatomic success and functional outcome determined retrospectively by optical coherence tomography and measurement of best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), respectively were the main outcome parameters.

RESULTS

Two lines or more improvement in BCVA was obtained in 11 eyes and 6 of these eyes had 20/40 or better BCVA at the final visit. Subretinal or intraretinal fluid was completely resorbed postoperatively in 12 eyes but a little intraretinal fluid persisted in one eye at the 16-month follow-up. Better visual improvement was observed in patients treated by earlier surgical intervention.

CONCLUSION

PPV, C3F8 gas tamponade and endolaser to the optic disc margin without ILM peeling may yield favourable results in the treatment of ODP maculopathy.

The immunohistochemical expression of c-Met is an independent predictor of survival in patients with glioblastoma multiforme

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Because the outcome of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) remains dismal, there is an urgent need for a better molecular characterization of this malignancy. The aim of this prospective study was to investigate the prognostic impact of the expression of c-mesenchymal-epithelial transition (c-Met) a receptor tyrosine kinase implicated in expression growth, survival, motility/migration, and invasion in GMB patients managed according to the established diagnostic and therapeutic protocols.

METHODS

Between May 2003 and March 2011, a total of 69 patients (33 males and 36 females; mean age: 52.2 ± 12.9 years, age range: 23-81 years) referred to our Department for the surgical removal of GBM were evaluated immunohistochemically for c-Met expression. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) served as the main outcome measures.

RESULTS

Compared with c-Met- subjects (n = 38), c-Met+ subjects (n = 31) had both a significantly lower OS (15.3 ± 2.3 vs. 22.6 ± 2.5 months, respectively, p < 0.01) and PFS (12.3 ± 2.1 vs. 19.1 ± 2.6 months, respectively, p < 0.05). After allowance for potential confounders, multivariate Cox regression analysis identified c-Met+ as an independent predictor of both OS (hazard ratio = 1.7; 95 % confidence interval = 1.2-1.9, p < 0.01) and PFS (hazard ratio = 1.6; 95 % confidence interval = 1.1-2.3, p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that c-Met immunohistochemical expression is an independent predictor of outcomes in patients with GBM treated by standard of care.